Methicillin-resistant and methicillin-sensitive in pork industry workers, Catalonia, Spain.

Background: Methicillin-resistant (MRSA) especially ST398, is a zoonotic agent. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) and MRSA among workers in the pork production chain.

Methods: 659 workers associated with 123 pig farms, livestock transporters, one pig slaughterhouse, pork transporters and 23 pork butcheries were studied for recovery, and all isolates were characterized (antibiotic resistance, MLST and -typing).

Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of Infections in Catalonia, Spain.

is a human zoonotic pathogen of occupational origin, with infection acquired through contact with live pigs or pig meat. Pig farming is one of Catalonia's biggest industries and as a result this region of Spain has one of the highest density pig populations per km. The aim of our study was to describe the infections caused by occurring in that area over a 9-year period.

Molecular Characterization of Imported and Autochthonous Dengue in Northeastern Spain.

Dengue is the most significant arbovirus worldwide and a public health threat to non-endemic areas in which vectors are present. Autochthonous dengue transmission has been reported in several European countries in the last decade. Infected travelers from endemic regions arriving to areas colonized by in Europe need to be monitored in surveillance and control programs.

Molecular characterization of OXA-48 carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae strains after a carbapenem resistance increase in Catalonia.

Introduction: To characterize OXA-48 carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae strains isolated after an increase in carbapenem resistance in Catalonia.

Methodology: K. pneumoniae identification, antimicrobial susceptibility studies, the Modified Hodge Test method, amplification of antimicrobial resistance genes (against β-lactamases, quinolones and aminoglycosides), molecular typing (by PFGE and MLST), conjugation assays, plasmid characterization (PBRT-PCR and Southern blot), a description of mobile genetic elements and statistical analysis were done.

Prevalence of MRSA ST398 Carriage in Nursing Home Residents in an Area of Spain With a High Density of Pig Farming.

MRSA nasal carriage was detected in 15.7% of 204 residents from 6 nursing homes (NHs) in the Osona region (Barcelona, Spain), and the MRSA-ST398 lineage was identified in 15.6% of MRSA-positive residents and in 2.

Clinical impact and prevalence of MRSA CC398 and differences between MRSA-Tet and MRSA-Tet in an area of Spain with a high density of pig farming: a prospective cohort study.

Objectives: Tetracycline resistance (Tet) is a phenotypic marker of the livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) CC398 clone. The aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence of MRSA CC398 in patients in contact with healthcare facilities and differences between patients with MRSA-Tet and MRSA tetracycline-susceptible (Tet) strains.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with MRSA from January 2012 to December 2015 were divided into two groups, MRSA-Tet and MRSA-Tet.

Prevalence of colonization by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ST398 in pigs and pig farm workers in an area of Catalonia, Spain.

Background: A livestock-associated clonal lineage (ST398) of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been identified causing colonization or infection in farm workers. The aim of the study was to analyze the prevalence of MRSA-ST398 colonization in pigs and in pig farmers in an area with a high pig population (Osona, Barcelona province, Catalonia, Spain).

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional prevalence study in Osona (Catalonia, Spain), from June 2014 to June 2015.

Outbreak of Legionnaires' disease associated with a supermarket mist machine.

An outbreak of Legionnaires' disease affected 12 customers of a supermarket in a town in Catalonia, Spain, between August and November 2006. An epidemiological and environmental investigation was undertaken. Preliminary investigation showed that all patients had visited the same supermarket in this town where a mist machine was found in the fish section.

[Diagnostic resources for sexually transmitted infections in laboratories in Catalonia (Spain)].

Objective: With the aim of describing both the capacity and organization of the laboratories in Catalonia to diagnose sexually transmitted infections, a cross-sectional study was performed between November 2005 and March 2006, which included 140 laboratories.

Results: Ninety-eight laboratories performed some STI tests, 45 received more than 50 vaginal swabs per month, 42 diagnosed Chlamydia trachomatis, but only six used polymerase chain reaction techniques. None diagnosed venereal lymphogranuloma.

[Bacteremia in 13 general hospitals of the province of Barcelona. Prospective study of 1,674 episodes. Group of Microbiologists of the County Hospitals of Catalonia].

Background: Clinical and microbiological description of bacteremias seen in 13 regional hospitals of Barcelona.

Methods: From January to December of 1991 a multicenter prospective study of bacteremia in regional hospitals was performed. The filiation, clinical findings and microbiological results were registered according to a common protocol.

[Detection of pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide antigen in urine by counterimmunoelectrophoresis. Technical features and correlation with serotype].

The effectiveness of CIE in detecting capsular polysaccharide antigen of pneumococci in urine is revised. Using CIE, we studied urine samples from 57 patients with systemic pneumococcal infections, proved bacteriologically by means of isolation of the microorganisms from sterile sites. We compare the usefulness of CIE with the microorganism isolation from organic products.